Crysencio Summerville is yet to do at West Ham what both he and Raphinha did during their spells at Leeds United but he can take faith in that Raphinha has finally come good at Barcelona.
Raphinha joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022 and while he did okay, having a hand in over 20 goals in both seasons – it is nothing compared to his form this time around under new manager Hansi Flick.
Already, Raphinha has 24 goals and assists in just 20 appearances for Barcelona this season. With current captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen injured, Raphinha has been wearing the captain’s armband for Barcelona.
While he hardly flopped initially, Barcelona’s £55m signing from Leeds is coming good at the Nou Camp this term. Summerville will be hoping he can follow Raphinha’s example and finally shine at West Ham.
Raphinha of FC Barcelona looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Nove...
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What Raphinha used to tell Crysencio Summerville in training
When Summerville was just breaking into the senior Leeds side in 2021-22 under Marcelo Bielsa, he found his path blocked into the first team by 31-time Brazil international Raphinha, a key player at Leeds.
It meant Summerville only really starred for Leeds after relegation, winning the Championship’s Player if the Season last term. It earned a move to West Ham, but he has just one goal in 12 games this season.
Summerville has shared what Raphinha used to tell him in Leeds training, to Voetbal Primeur. He said that he even tried to play like Raphinha and mirror the Brazilian’s long stride, flair and incredible work rate.
“He always said: ‘Cry, the qualities you have… Show them’. In training I tried to play like him. Then I got more courage and I also thought: ‘You know Cry, just do it’. Show your qualities, work hard,” he said.
Crysencio Summerville of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and West Ham United FC at St James' Park on No...
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Crysencio Summerville and Raphinha’s Leeds United stats
Summerville’s departure was obviously a blow as Leeds remain in the Championship. Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon have come in but Leeds do lack that utter star quality that Summerville managed to give.
He ha the quality to shine for the Hammers but with Julen Lopetegui under pressure and West Ham not performing as well as they should be, Summerville is hardly being given the stage to go and prosper.
Name Games Minutes Goals Assists Wins Minutes per G+A
Raphinha 67 5364 17 12 23 185
Crysencio Summerville 89 5749 25 12 37 155
One thing that should give Summerville some confidence is that his Leeds stats are somewhat similar to Raphinha. While Summerville played more in the Championship, his numbers are better than Raphinha’s.
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